Titus Vineyards 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Titus Vineyards 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Item Number: 20966

UPC: 0-747505001698

Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Napa Valley
Appellation/AVA: Saint Helena
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vintage: 2021
Grape(s): 80% Cabernet Sauvignon / 7.5% Malbec / 7% Merlot / 5.5% Petit Verdot
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 14.9
Total Acidity: 5.4 g/L
pH: 3.79
Case Production: 3830

Vineyard Notes: Titus' home vineyard is located on 40 acres of Napa Valley floor just north of St. Helena on the Silverado Trail. It has well-drained, sandy, alluvial soils and is characterized by its ability to produce complex wines with well-defined fruit flavors, gentle acids, and naturally balanced tannins. Titus' Ehlers Lane Vineyard lies to the north of the winery estate, on the northern boundary of the St. Helena AVA. The volcanic slope and rocky stream bed soils yield small Cabernet Sauvignon berries and concentrated fruit.

Vintage Notes: Late season rains and cool temperatures meant for a slightly later spring with bud break occurring in the third week of March. Even weather throughout the spring allowed the soils to dry out and flowering to occur unabated with balanced berry set happening across all varieties. June and July provided ideal weather to help the vines catch up a bit and proceed into veraison in early August. The heat of late summer allowed the vineyards to develop deep flavors with rich color in the red varieties. The September harvest dates for the Cabernet allowed the fruit to be expressive, concentrated and retain its natural acidity, while softening the tannins ideally for building a bold yet integrated wine.

Winemaking Notes: Multiple vineyard passes over the two week period from September 11th to September 24th resulted in small lot harvesting that optimized the timing and selection for ideal fruit maturity. After picking, the fruit was gently destemmed and then pumped to tank. Fermentation occurred on the skins with macerations lasting 14-21 days. The wine was drained at the completion of fermentation. After draining, the wine was racked to 50% new French and Hungarian oak barrels for aging. It was then racked quarterly for the first year before being racked to tank in April 2023 for bottling.

Tasting Notes: The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an exuberant example of the lush wines produced by Titus Vineyards' Ranch Estate vineyard. The wine leaps from the glass with notes of candied cherry, crushed raspberries, allspice, and a fresh bay note that lends the wine lift. The palate is open with purity on entry; it's knit together with beautiful acidity and fine-grained tannins. Chocolate covered blueberry, and polished red fruit lead to a lingering finish. Enjoy through 2036.

Reviews

  • Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 93 (12/26/2023)
    The appellation 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, and smaller portions of Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It's another fabulous wine from this estate, offering pure cr me de cassis, classy oak, new leather, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. With medium to full-bodied richness, plush, integrated tannin, and the vintage's fresher, focused style, it tastes like it costs three times the price. Drink bottles over the coming decades. Bravo.
  • The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 91 (12/29/2023)
    The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon deftly balances hints of vanilla and cedary oak against notes of ripe cherries and cassis. While not overly complex, it's harmonious and supple, a medium to full-bodied wine that will complement a meal rather than overpower it, yet it still has ample concentration, richness and depth. Drink it over the next 10 - 15 years.